World No.1 Elshorbagy Narrowly Avoids First Round Exit In Chicago by Nathan Clarke February 26, 2015 -
24-year-old Egyptian World No.1 Mohamed Elshorbagy came within a
whisker of suffering a shock first round exit during the opening day of
action at the 2015 Windy City Open presented by Guggenheim Partners and
EquiTrust Life Insurance Company in Chicago earlier today.
Elshorbagy has been in phenomenal form since August 2014, winning three
World Series events and reaching the World Championship final, but
20-year-old compatriot Fares Dessouki, the World No.23, tore up the
form book in a compelling battle of attrition as he took the
tournament-favourite to the brink - coming within one point of what
would have been a famous victory.
But after failing to capitalise on a match-point opportunity, Dessouki
allowed 24-time-finalist Elshorbagy back in and he made no mistakes,
eventually sealing an 11-9, 3-11, 10-12, 11-7, 13-11 victory after 101
punishing minutes.
"Being World No.1 one is about being able to win when you are not at
your best and that's what I was able to do today," said Elshorbagy.
"It was a tough match today but I'm just really happy to be coming back for another day."
The duo both started the match strongly with Dessouki in particular
racing out of the blocks and looking composed as he opened up a 7-4
lead. Elshorbagy showed why he is atop the world rankings however as he
responded to take the opening game 11-9 and set the scene for what
promised to be an enthralling battle.
The younger man from Alexandria upped his level in the second and
brought the scores even and he continued to attack during the third,
holding his nerve during some tense exchanges, mixing up his approach
with great effect to take the lead for the first time.
But it was short-lived as Elshorbagy restored parity after just edging the fourth.
High drama accompanied almost every shot in the deciding game, with
both players fighting tooth and nail for the upper hand and when he
survived match ball to gain one of his own, Dessouki looked on the
brink of glory. But a simple error into the tin allowed Elshorbagy back
in to seal the match.
"I've known Fares for a long time, since we came through the same club,
and he's already competing with the top players and he's only 20,"
added Elshorbagy.
"It was experience that made the difference at the end but it's only a
matter of time until he's competing in the finals of major events."
Earlier in the day four-time World Champion Amr Shabana, the
35-year-old Egyptian who paved the way for the current plethora of top
class Egyptian stars, moved into the second round with an assured
victory over Chris Simpson.
Shabana never looked troubled as he saw off the Englishman 3-0 to set
up a second round match-up with World No.14 Marwan Elshorbagy, the
younger brother of World No.1 Mohamed.
There was further joy for Egyptian squash with victories for World No.7
Tarek Momen and World No.20 Karim Abdel Gawad while Indian Saurav
Ghosal, Swiss star Nicolas Mueller and Colombian live-wire Miguel Angel
Rodriguez rounded out the top half of action with victories.
Draw: Round One, Bottom Half:
[4] Nick Matthew (ENG) v Borja Golan (ESP)
Daryl Selby (ENG) v [WC] Chris Hanson (USA)
James Willstrop (ENG) v [Q] Cesar Salazar (MEX)
Stephen Coppinger (RSA) v [5] Peter Barker (ENG)
[8] Omar Mosaad (EGY) v Simon Rösner (GER)
Alister Walker (BOT) v [Q] Mohamed Abouelghar (EGY)
Cameron Pilley (AUS) v [Q] Greg Lobban (SCO)
[Q] Henrik Mustonen (FIN) v [2] Gregory Gaultier (FRA)
